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Shimona Saldhana scores the decisive goal against Football School of India (FSI) which moves Football Leaders Academy just a point below Rush Soccer.

26th December 2017, Mumbai: The 17th Matchday of WIFA Women’s League – Indian Women’s League (IWL) Preliminary Round saw two games played at Cooperage. The first match between Kenkre FC and Rush Soccer ended 3-2 in the latter’s favour, whereas, the second clash saw Football Leaders Academy defeating Football School of India (FSI) 1-0 to close the gap to just one point for the title run with Rush still leading the standings.

Football Leaders Academy headed towards the match four points behind Rush Soccer who had already won their respective match on Monday morning. A draw would have nearly killed the title race between FLA and Rush, but FLA displayed a determined performance to clinch a 1-0 win, courtesy of Shimona Saldhana’s solitary strike in the first-half at Cooperage.

Both FLA and FSI started off brightly with the latter defending superbly to keep the score locked at 0-0. FLA’s forwards Archana Thakur and Shimona Saldhana got numerous opportunities in the first half-an-hour of the match but the strong defensive pair of Peerbhoy and Sruthi proved enough for FSI to keep going.

Although FSI’s joy was short-lived. After missing couple of chances, FLA’s Shimona Saldhana was set up through on goal in a one-on-one situation, as composed as one should be in such situation, she calmly poked her effort past the goalkeeper to break the deadlock. The half-time score read 1-0 as FLA were hopeful to snatch all three points going into the second-half.

Unfortunately, FLA’s star player Tara Khatun who had come on in first-half suffered an injury just minutes into the second-half. After limping on the sidelines, she was later substituted as a precaution measure. FLA stood strong at the back after scoring the opening goal as they defended brilliantly to stay in the driver’s seat.

As the final whistle blew, it meant that Football Leaders Academy would be playing Rush Soccer on 1st October which will be the final game of the campaign. Rush Soccer just needs a draw to clinch the title, whereas, it will be a must-win game for FLA.